I am in Hong Kong and I can just pick up RNZI on my Sony ICF-SW7600GR
with the built-in telescopic antenna. The signal is a bit faint. Not
surprising, considering that their target area is the Pacific islands,
not Asia.

It is however surprising that you can hear them in the middle of USA.
That's way off target. I guess you're not using my kind of portable
equipment. Am I right?